Tag Archives: Burbank High swimming

Swimming is a sport that hasn’t been the most successful since Olympian Cathy Ferguson made her mark locally in the 1960s. But strides have been made in recent years at both Burbank and Burroughs highs with several school records have been broken. This year we could see some more.

Burbank

The Bulldogs are led on the boys’ side by junior David Lee, the defending Pacific League champion in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle events.

Burbank has a solid core behind Lee. Senior Gevorg Vardanyan should offer help in the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Junior Ryan Feldman could also have a strong season in the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle.

Senior Dorian Andrei, like Vardanyan, figures to do well in the butterfly and medley events.

Senior Charlie Thorpe should offer some support in the freestyle events and senior Ashot Gavurmadzhyan is strong in the breaststroke and butterfly events.

“The boys team is looking to remain in the top three in the Pacific League, while also securing automatic cuts for relays for the CIF meet,” Burbank coach Cody Parker said. “David Lee (is aiming) to remain the top sprinter in the league, while qualifying individually for CIF. The girls look to secure a spot in the top three in the Pacific League.”

The Burbank girls’ team is led by senior Michelle Morlock, who is a 50 and 100 meter freestyle specialist.

Senior Melody Moradi offers help in the freestyle events, as does senior Emily Udall, who will also compete in the butterfly.

Juniors Simone and Geneva Bethel are also freestyle specialists. Simone Bethel could also score some points in the breaststroke.

Burroughs

The Indians are led by junior distance swimmer Maya Wilson, who has qualified for CIF competition the last two years.

Senior Aleah Orozco also brings back key experience in the freestyle and relay events.
Junior Emmanuella Nathan returns to give the Indians another swimmer with varsity experience in the relay events.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Sophomores Madeline Spangler and Isabelle Mucha were both on varsity as freshmen.

The top newcomer is freshman Lilliana Noriega.

For the Burroughs boys’ team, senior Reigh Abaoag is the top returner. He is particularly strong in the butterfly and breaststroke events.

The Burbank and Burroughs High swimming teams are coming off of a solid year and are hoping to maintain that strength into the 2018 season, even though some key swimmers have graduated. Burbank, which set several relay records last season on the boys’ side, will now will led by some distance swimmers. Burroughs will be led by sophomore Maya Wilson, who set a number of school records last year.

Burbank

The Bulldogs lost star Roman Rostamyan to graduation and will be guided by first-year coach Cody Parker. This year the Bulldogs will have junior freestyler Charlie Thorpe and senior freestyler Isaac Yang. Junior Dorian Andrei is solid in the 200 individual medley and is particularly strong in the butterfly. Sophomore David Lee will be counted on to score points in the sprint events. Sophomore Ryan Feldman is also solid in the individual medley and will also swim the backstroke and breaststroke events.

For the Burbank girls’ team, junior Emily Udall will be a key performer in the distance events as well as the butterfly. Junior Michelle Morlock is a sprinter, who will also be key on relays. Sophomore Angelina Chavez will also be counted on in the sprint and relay events, as will sophomores Simone and Geneva Bethel. Both Simone and Geneva Bethel swim the freestyle events.

Burroughs

The Indians are led by sophomore Maya Wilson, who is a distance swimmer and should return to CIF competition in the 500 freestyle. She will also swim in other freestyle events.

Skrabak is a 50 freestyle specialist, Morning is strongest in the breaststroke and Fallon can be counted on to score points in the 200 and 500 freestyles.

For the Indians boys’ team, junior Reigh Aboang should lead the way. He is solid in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke. Junior Issack Dowling is another key swimmer who is a backstroke specialist. Junior captain Nathan Gault-Crabb will be able to help the Indians out in a number of areas.

“(I’m) looking forward to seeing what our returning varsity swimmers can do after last season,” Burroughs coach Jacob Cook said. “We have a lot of talent returning, which is exciting. We also have a lot of new swimmers that I am excited to work with and to help achieve their goals.”